Join Us in Asking Toronto City Council to Move Iringa, Toka & Thika to the PAWS Sanctuary

On October 25th 2011 the Toronto City Council voted 31 to 4 in favour of sending Iringa, Toka & Thika, the three remaining elephants at the Toronto Zoo, to the PAWS Sanctuary in California. Since that time, it seems a small number of zoo people and others have tried to delay or stop the transfer of the elephants to the Sanctuary.

Iringa, Toka & Thika are still in Toronto.

As you know, elephants are highly intelligent, exceptionally social animals that have evolved to walk over long distances and live in warm climates. The Toronto Zoo’s small, barren enclosure and Ontario’s cold winter climate are not appropriate for elephants. Iringa, Toka & Thika shouldn’t be spending another winter season in Toronto.

We are concerned that the delays caused by this unnecessary tug-of-war over the elephants put them at risk, especially Iringa, as she is suffering from serious foot problems, the major cause of elephant deaths in zoos. The elephants deserve to know the joy of walking the hills and pastures, something they could do at the PAWS Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary's African elephant enclosure provides 80 acres of rolling hills, a more elephant-friendly California climate and a dynamic social group for Iringa, Toka and Thika.

PAWS has received elephants from other zoos, as well as circuses. They have the facilities to maintain elephants properly and to manage/treat whatever ailments and/or captivity-associated diseases they arrive at the sanctuary with. No zoo in North America can match the space and accomodation that PAWS provides.

We endorse the decision by Toronto City Council (a decision affirmed by the Toronto Zoo Board of Management) to send Iringa, Toka & Thika to the PAWS Sanctuary. Now it is time for Toronto City Council to:

1. set a deadline for the elephant transfer that ensures the elephants are shipped to California, and

2. ensure there are no further obstructions and delays by taking whatever actions are necessary to expedite the elephant move.

Toronto City Council's decision was a “global good news story” for Toronto. I sincerely hope it doesn't become a global embarrassment.

We believe Toronto’s elephants deserve the best.

Letter to

Mayor Rob Ford

Toronto City Council

Councillor Maria Augimeri

and 37 others

Councillor Ana Bailao

Councillor Michelle Berardinetti

Councillor Gary Crawford

Councillor Vincent Crisanti

Councillor Janet Davis

Councillor Mike Del Grande

Councillor Frank Di Giorgio

Councillor Sarah Doucette

Councillor John Filion

Councillor Paula Fletcher

Councillor Doug Ford

Councillor Mary Fragedakis

Councillor Norm Kelly

Councillor Mike Layton

Councillor Chin Lee

Councillor Josh Matlow

Councillor Pam McConnell

Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon

Councillor Joe Mihevc

Councillor Peter Milczyn

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong

Councillor Ron Moeser

Councillor Frances Nunziata

Councillor Cesar Palacio

Councillor Gord Perks

Councillor Anthony Perruzza

Councillor Jaye Robinson

Councillor David Shiner

Councillor Karen Stintz

Councillor Michael Thompson

Councillor Adam Vaughan

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam

Councillor Shelley Carroll

Councillor Raymond Cho

Councillor Mark Grimes

Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker

Councillor James Pasternak

I just signed the following petition addressed to: Toronto City Council.

----------------Move Iringa, Toka & Thika to the PAWS Sanctuary

On October 25th 2011 the Toronto City Council voted 31 to 4 in favour of sending Iringa, Toka & Thika, the three remaining elephants at the Toronto Zoo, to the PAWS Sanctuary in California. Since that time, many attempts have been made by zoo people and others to delay or stop the transfer of the elephants to the Sanctuary,

PAWS has been ready to receive the elephants for months. Yet, the elephants remain in Toronto with no date to move them in sight.

I endorse the decision by Toronto City Council (a decision affirmed by the Toronto Zoo Board of Management) to send Iringa, Toka & Thika to the PAWS Sanctuary and urge Toronto City Council to:

1. set a deadline for the elephant transfer that ensures the elephants are shipped to California, and,

2. ensure there are no further obstructions and delays by taking whatever actions are necessary to expedite the elephant move.

Please do not let a “global good news story” for Toronto become a global embarrassment. Toronto’s elephants deserve the best.